"Playing in New York is the only existence I've known and I think you get used to it," Heilman said, standing by a heater Sunday in the Mariners dugout. "You learn to accept the fact that you are dealing with a very passionate, very knowledgeable fan base.

"New York's one of those markets where unless you win the World Series, it's not a good year. There's a lot of competition in New York from all sides, whether it's the Mets against the Yankees or whether it's between the newspapers."

Seattle isn't Mayberry. Baseball fans here are angry about last season's 101 losses, but they are more forgiving and much more encouraging.

"I think a change of scenery can be good," Heilman said. "It depends on how you look at it. I certainly didn't look at it as I really wanted to get out of New York. I was kind of looking forward to going back and showing that last season was an aberration and to get back to what I normally can do.

"Certainly I would have liked to have given them a better show last year, because they are great fans, but I don't feel like I have anything to prove to them or anyone else. I don't feel a need to put an end to the naysayers."

It certainly sounds like Heilman's talking the talk. You can't help but root for him and his future endeavors, except when they line up against the Mets' fortunes. We won't know if his head is on straight until the season starts, though.

For as grateful as we'll be for J.J. Putz's contributions this season, it is Heilman's success or failure that will determine who ultimately won that trade.
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